SESIÓN 13 STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE. ENTEROCOCCUS.

Question 1

What are 5 distinguishing features of S. pneumoniae?

Answer 1

• Alfa-hemolitic when grown aerobically and beta hemolytic when grown anaerobically, Optochin sensitive, lancet-shaped diplococcic, lysed by bile.

Question 2

What is the reservoir for S. pneumoniae?

Answer 2

• Human upper respiratory tract

Question 3

What is the form of transmission for S. pneumoniae?

Answer 3

• Respiratory droplets

Question 4

What is the pathogenesis of S. Pneumoniae?

Answer 4

• Polysaccharide capsule is the major virulence factor and its ability to colonize oropharynx, spread into normally sterile tissues (pneumolysin, IgA protease), stimulate local inflammatory response and evade phagocytic killing (polysaccharide capsule)

Question 5

What are some of the disease caused by S. Pneumoniae? (4)

Answer 5

• Pneumonia, sinusitis and otitis media, meningitis and bacteremia.

Question 6

What is something unique to S. pneumonia that can be detected in urine?

Answer 6

• Pneumococcal C polysaccharide is excreted in urine and can be detected using immunoassay.

Question 7

What is the treatment for S. pneumoniae (pneumonia, adult meningitis and otitis media and sinusitis in children?

Answer 7

• Macrolides, ceftriaxone or cefotaxime and amoxicillin respectively.